Can You Donate Plasma On Your Period

World Blood Donor Day : Donating While Menstruating And 11 Other Questions You May Have About Giving Blood

I Had to Stop Donating Plasma. Here’s Why.

World Blood Donor Day 2020: Donating while menstruating and 11 other questions you may have about giving blood World Blood Donor Day is observed every year on June 14th to raise more awareness about the act of donating blood and celebrate the ones who save countless lives by doing it. There are many among us who want to donate blood but are held back by misinformation and doubts about the procedure of it

World Blood Donor Day is observed every year on 14th June to raise more awareness about the act of donating blood and celebrate the ones who save countless lives by doing it. There are many among us who want to donate blood but are held back by misinformation and doubts about the procedure of it. Today, lets answer some of these questions, beginning with:

Representational image. Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay.

Is it safe to donate blood while one is menstruating?

Blood donation is voluntary, a noble deed and a great service which we can do for our fellow human beings. One donation of blood can save up to five lives. Blood transfusion helps patients in recovery and surgery, those who have platelet requirement, who have Hemophilia and ones undergoing organ transplantation or chemotherapy.

Here are some general guidelines for people who want to donate blood:

Other questions you may have about blood donation:

1. Will my health suffer if I donate blood?

No, if you fulfil the above criteria, you will feel fine after blood donation.

Here Are A Few Guidelines:

  • How frequently can I donate blood?

    You can donate every 56 days.

  • Can I donate blood if I have a cold, the flu, or a sore throat?

    You should wait until you’re feeling normal.

  • Can I donate blood if I have allergies?

    You can donate if allergies are under control with no symptoms.

  • Can I donate blood if I am taking antibiotics?

    You must wait 48 hours after taking your last oral dose of antibiotics.

  • Can I donate blood if I get a tattoo?

    Wait one year.

  • Can you donate blood while on your period?

    You can donate during your menstrual cycle.

Am I Needed As A Blood Donor

A blood donor is a special kind of volunteer. One donation of blood can help save up to five patients’ lives.

Long Island Blood Services provides blood services to hospitals throughout Long Island. We are fortunate to live in a region where sophisticated medical facilities and transplant programs are available. These programs require many blood donations.

When there is not enough blood, patients wait for hours for the blood they need, delaying their recovery. Patients who are weak from low iron wait for red cells patients whose bodies have been assaulted by chemotherapy wait for platelets that will allow their blood to clot again.

Patients who have been on an organ transplant list for months or years and finally get an opportunity for an organ will lose that opportunity if there is no blood.

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Nutrition Tips For Regular Plasma Donors

If you’re considering becoming a regular plasma donor, which means coming as often as twice per week, eating well is a must. Besides impacting your overall health, your diet will determine how likely you are to continue qualifying to donate plasma and how well you’ll feel post-donation.

Regular donors should focus on eating a high-protein and iron-rich diet every day and aim to eat as clean as possible. While fatty foods should be enjoyed in moderation, the same pre and post-donation tips apply. Try to consciously schedule those more indulgent meals, so they’re never within 24 hours of an appointment.

If you tend to be iron deficient, you may want to consider adding vitamins and supplements to your daily regimen. As always, consult your physician to find the right combination of supplements along with diet and lifestyle changes, to optimize your iron levels.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.

Staying Healthy After Your Plasma Donation

Can You Donate Plasma When Pregnant

After your plasma donation, continue taking care of your health to minimize any side effects like fatigue or dehydration by following these simple tips:

  • Take your time getting up
  • Eat a snack or light meal within two hours of your appointment
  • Continue to drink plenty of water. The American Red Cross recommends drinking an extra 4 cups in the 24 hours post-donation.
  • Avoid alcohol for at least four hours after your donation
  • Avoid tobacco and nicotine for at least one hour post-donation
  • Avoid strenuous activity, including heavy lifting, for the rest of the day
  • Complete your daily protein intake with your next meal or meals
  • Continue eating foods rich in iron and vitamin C

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Feeling Faint Or Dizzy

The loss of fluid can lead to dehydration and cause some people to feel lightheaded during and after the donation.

This reaction is common and usually mild. Donation center staff encourage people to rest and have a drink and a snack after the process is over, to counter any lightheadedness.

During the donation, if a person experiences any of the following, the attendant may stop the procedure:

  • low blood pressure
  • sweating, twitching, or weakness

The person will then likely need to rest with their feet raised and drink some fluids.

What Can Disqualify You From Donating Plasma

If youre interested in donating plasma, requirements exist for a rigorous screening as part of the plasma donation process. Part of the reason that the screening process exists is to protect those receiving the donations, many of whom have compromised health. It also ensures that the donors themselves are in good enough physical health to avoid the side effects of donating plasma.

The requirements for donating plasma are fairly consistent. You must be at least 16 years old, weigh over 110 pounds, and have a valid ID. Do they drug test you before donating plasma? Not generally people who take certain prescription drugs, show signs of injectable drug use, or are visibly intoxicated are not allowed to donate plasma.

Part of the reason that the screening process exists is to protect those receiving the donations, many of whom have compromised health.

Certain health conditions also prevent you from donating, such as pregnancy or recent childbirth. If youve had dental work in the past 72 hours, youll be deferred. Also, if youve received the MMR vaccine or had chickenpox in the past month or taken antibiotics orally in the past 2448 hours or by injection in the past 72 hours, youre also deferred.

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Do All Plasma Centers Pay The Same Amount

Given the different components of how you can get paid, no two companies will be the same. Usually, they are pretty close to one another, but there will usually be something different. The other issue is the payment plans can change from month to month, especially the first time and special offers. Youll need to pay attention to what the centers in your area are running. Companies tend to announce their fees towards the end of the month or right at the start of a new month. Most of the time, notifications will go out through email or text when there is a change.

Questions And Answers: About The Clinical Trials

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What is convalescent plasma?

We are proud to be part Health Canada approved clinical trials to test the effectiveness of COVID-19 convalescent plasma as a possible treatment option for patients with the virus. We announced our involvement in April 2020.

Scientists from our Centre for Innovation are part of a group of clinical investigators and researchers that is conducting the clinical trials in more than 50 hospitals across the country.

With Health Canadas approval, Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec are responsible for supplying convalescent plasma to Canadian physicians caring for patients with the virus in the context of the clinical trials. As the national blood operator, we have the expertise and the infrastructure necessary to safely collect, prepare and distribute convalescent plasma for use in trials of this size and scope.

Well-designed clinical trials, like the ones we are involved with, will help provide the information necessary to prove whether convalescent plasma is an effective treatment. Canadas clinical trials will also provide Canadian data to a growing body of evidence indicating that COVID-19 convalescent plasma is a safe product. This data will be an important contribution to research on a global scale that could help patients in Canada and around the world.

What is Canadian Blood Services role?

Scientists from our Centre for Innovation are part of a group of clinical investigators, and over 70 hospitals, that conducted the clinical trials.

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Is It Fine To Go Back To Work After Giving Blood

“To help you stay well after you have given blood, you should rest for about 30 mins. You are also encouraged to eat and drink before leaving the donation centre. But after that, you are fine to go back to work. However, it is best to avoid using the donation arm to carry anything very heavy for the rest of the day. It is also best to avoid having a hot bath or shower after you have given blood.”

What Are The Best Foods To Eat After Youve Given Blood

“You will be encouraged to have at least two drinks and a snack before you leave the donation centre, to re-hydrate the fluids you have lost during the donation and to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Once you have left the centre, you are able to eat and drink as normal. Its important to eat a healthy diet with adequate iron in it to replenish the iron you will have lost in the donation.”

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Are There Tests You Have To Undergo Before Donating Blood

“When you go for your appointment, the staff will carry out a pre-assessment to make sure you are able to give blood on the day. You can visit Blood.co.uk and answer NHS Blood and Transplants interactive questions which cover the most common reasons donors are unable to donate when they attend their appointment.”

What Is The Value Of My Plasma

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You may expect to get compensated somewhere between $20 and $50 for each contribution. The range of compensation is determined on the amount of plasma you can give. The FDA establishes the recommendations, which include weight ranges of 110 to 149 pounds, 150 to 174 pounds, and 175 to 400 pounds. The more poundage you have, the more plasma you have, and the more money you get.

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Side Effects Of Donating Plasma

Donating plasma can have side effects that are typically minor, but if its your first time donating, you may wish to have a ride home, just in case. Bruising and nerve irritation are among the most common, usually around the injection site. It may have mild swelling, which can be treated with cold packs. Nerve irritation causes immediate, intense pain at the injection site and can cause shooting pain down the arm and into the hand. If this happens, alert the technician theyll immediately remove the needle. This should eliminate the stabbing pain, although some mild discomfort may remain for a day or two afterward.

More serious risks of donating plasma may be a drop in blood pressure, which can result in light-headedness or fainting. Some people experience this as a result of fear of needles or having blood drawn. Other possible side effects include sweating and paleness, weakness, sudden warmness, or nausea or vomiting. Dizziness and blurred or tunnel vision may also occur.

More serious risks of donating plasma may be a drop in blood pressure, which can result in light-headedness or fainting.

If a mild reaction occurs, the donation is typically paused, calcium may be given to you to eliminate these side effects of donating plasma. However, with a severe citrate reaction, the donation process is halted. You may need emergency attention.

The Claim: Red Cross Says People Vaccinated Against Covid

A lack of blood drives amid the coronavirus pandemic has caused a blood plasma shortage across the country, but some have taken to social media to claim those vaccinated against COVID-19 are not eligible to donate.

The claim follows similar posts that surfaced in the beginning of May, which falsely claimed the Japanese Red Cross Society stopped accepting blood donations from vaccinated individuals.

“The American Red Cross says you cannot donate Blood Plasma if you’ve had the vaccine, because the vaccine wipes out the body’s natural antibodies,” reads a May 22 Facebook post with about 3,000 shares.

Accompanying the text is a screengrab of a purported news broadcast with the title: “Red Cross needs blood donors but those vaccinated cannot donate plasma.”

Similar versions shared widely on, and contribute to debunked falsehoods surrounding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

None of the social media users returned USA TODAY’s requests for comment.

Fact check:Federal law does not prevent states, businesses, employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccines

Donated plasma the main component of blood containing water, nutrients and proteins the body needs is used for treating emergency burns and developing therapies for rare immune disorders. But vaccination status doesn’t impact anyone’s eligibility to donate plasma, and it also doesn’t harm the immune system, the American Red Cross and experts say.

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How Often Can I Donate Plasma

To ensure your continued health and safety during plasma donation, there are limits to how frequently you are able to donate.

You may donate twice in a seven-day period and need at least one day in between donations. Your body quickly replaces the lost plasma, which is why youre able to donate fairly frequently! As a reminder, during plasma donations, we only take your plasma. Your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are all returned back to your body. In whole blood donations, ALL of these blood components are taken and donated – plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets. That is why with whole blood donations, you must wait longer between donations.

Now, to expand on the question of donation frequency: what if youve recently given blood, can you still donate plasma?

If youve recently donated blood, you must wait 8 weeks until you can donate blood or plasma again. This is why many individuals thinking of donating both will donate plasma FIRST . By donating plasma first, you only have to wait a few days before you are able to donate blood.

We are so thankful for our donors who ask insightful questions and contribute their life-saving plasma. Anytime you have questions, pop into your nearest BPL Plasma center or give us a call. Wed happily walk you through the donation process, safety precautions, and more.

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